Film negative supporting frame



July 18, 1961 F. A. STIRRUP FILM NEGATIVE SUPPORTING FRAME Filed July 23, 1959 INVENTOR. FRANK A 5T/RRUP BY HTTOR/VEY United States Patent 2,992,603 FILM NEGATIVE SUPPORTING FRAME Frank A. Stirrup, 517 Carleton Road, Westfield, NJ. Filed July 23, 1959, Ser. No. 829,097 4 Claims. (Cl. 95-100) This invention relates to frames for support of X-ray or other type of film in the process of developing and drying the same. More particularly, the invention deals with a frame of this type and kind employing a substantially U-shaped main frame of angleiron cross-sectional form joined by an angleiron crossframe member forming a rectangular film supporting area with a C-clamp frame pivotally supported in connection with the crossframe member and having angular corners, including means operatively engaging the film in support thereof in the frame.

Still further, the invention deals with a structure of the character described, wherein the rectangular portion of the frame includes triangular bracing members at corner portions thereof, including raised free platforms, apertured to receive the film engaging members of said clamp frame.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a frame made according to my invention, with parts of the construction broken away.

FIG. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, omitting part of the background showing.

FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of F.G. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIG. 1.

Considering FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will appear that represents the main U-shaped frame of angleiron cross-sectional form and defined by side members 11 and 12 joined by an integral crosshead 13. The free ends of the side members are welded or otherwise fixed in the channel 14 of a supporting crossbar 15, the crossbar having a short supporting end 16 and a long supporting end 17, the latter including a downwardly extending pin 18. At 19 is shown a crossframe member also of angleiron cross-sectional form and welded to the side members 11 and 12, the member 19 dividing the main frame 10 into a rectangular portion, in which film is adapted to be positioned. In order to simplify the showing, the illustration of the film has been omitted.

At 20 is shown what I term a C-clamp frame fashioned from a rod which is bent to simulate the letter C and includes four angular corner portions 21, 22, 23 and 24.

The corner portions 21 and 22 terminate in inwardly extending alined pintle pin portions 25, 26 which seat and operate in generally similar hinge members 27, each having a pair of curved bearing portions 28, in which 25 and 26 operate. The pintle portions 25 and 26 are fashioned to form outwardly extending key lugs 29 arranged between the bearings 28 to retain the frame 20 against displacement. The hinge members 27 include, at their lower ends, substantially triangular plates 30 welded to the crossframe member 19, as indicated by the X weld marks 31 in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

The crosshead 32 of the frame 20 extends beyond the crosshead 13 to form the fingerpiece portion facilitating operation of the clamp frame 20. It will appear that the raised wall of the crosshead 13 has, near the sides Patented July 18, 1961 of the frame, apertures 33 to receive the corners '23 and 24 of the frame 20. In like manner, the raised wall of the crossframe member 19 is cutout to receive the corners 21 and 22 and this is best shown by the cutout at 34 in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

Secured to the corner portions of the rectangular part of the main frame are triangular bracing and platform forming elements 35, all of which are of the same general construction. The long legs 36 of the elements 35 are riveted to the bottom members of the sides 11, 12, crosshead 13 and frame member 19, as diagrammatically illustrated at 37. Beyond the crosslegs or portions 36, the elements 35 include raised platforms 38, including apertures 39, note FIG. 2 of the drawing, for receiving downwardly extending film clamping or engaging lugs 40 on the corners 21-24, respectively. It will be noted that the platforms are arranged freely within the corner portions of the frame and, thus, provide a slight yieldable support of the film. In other words, with the present construction, the film corners only are arranged upon the platforms 38, thus leaving the film free and clear from the remainder portion of the frame which facilitates drainage, as well as drying of the film.

The side members 11 and 12 of the main frame 10, adjacent the crosshead 13, or the upstanding walls of said side members, are recessed, as seen at 41, to receive spring catch devices 42, having apertures 42, note FIG. 4. The bottom plate of the catches 42 extends onto the bottom of the side members 11-12 and is secured in position by one rivet 37 and also by a weld, indicated by the dotted X 43 in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

The offset fingerpiece ends 44 of the spring catch devices 42 are adapted to engage outwardly extending lugs 45 formed from the frame 20 in retaining the frame in operative position. It will be apparent that the lugs 45 extend into the apertures 42', as clearly noted in FIG. 4 of the drawing. By outward movement of the fingerpiece ends 44 and raising the crosshead 32, the frame 20 can be moved into inoperative or raised position in removing a film from the frame. In clamping a film in position, all that is necessary is to lower the frame 20 and press downwardly upon the corners 23 and 24 of the frame 20.

By reason of the simple structure of my improved frame, the same can be economically produced and, at the same time, the frame becomes eflicient in use from the standpoint of handling and the drainage and drying of the film after the same has been processed.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A film supporting frame, comprising a U-shaped main frame of angleiron cross-sectional form, an angleiron crossframe member fixed to side members of the main frame and dividing the main frame into a rectangular film receiving portion, means comprising triangular elements fitting and fixed within and bracing corner portions of the rectangular portion of the frame, said elements including raised triangular platforms freely disposed within said corner portions, a clamp frame swingably mounted in the main frame, said clamp frame and raised platforms having registering means for engaging and supporting a film against displacement from said platforms, and means for retaining the clamp frame in operative position in the main frame.

2. A frame as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamp frame is generally C-shaped in form and includes four angular corner portions, and the interengaging means of 3 the clamp frame being disposed on the angular corner portions thereof.

3. A frame as defined in claim 2, wherein the crossframe member and main frame are recessed to receive the angular corner portions of the clamp frame.

4. A frame as defined in claim 1, wherein said interengaging means comprises apertures in the platforms of said elements, and integral lugs on the clamp frame adapted to extend into said apertures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Germany May 21, 1951 

